Environmental Question #12 [Recycled Plastic Art]

 Courtesy of Reddit user u/That_Boysenberry4501

Q:  So I'm an artist and want to make more works about overconsumption and plastic pollution. I really love how melted/heated plastic works as a medium and its cool that I could put some of my own waste to use--but I know melting/heating it releases toxins. Do you know of any way that I could neutralize those toxins so as not to release them into the air?  

If not, I feel it would go against my message to be melting them, so I'll have to find other ways to work with them.  

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A: There isn't any practical means to neutralize the toxins released by heated plastic, particularly because different plastics are so different from each other chemically. The degree of hazard from plastic fumes varies wildly from plastic to plastic, so without specialized knowledge and equipment, melting plastic always carries some risk. That said, I think it is also important to put that risk in perspective, because plastic fumes aren't as toxic as some fearmongering articles would have you believe. Think about plastic fumes the same way you'd think about smoke, because they are similarly toxic. Our bodies can defend against toxins to some degree, so if you hang out by the campfire or grill from time to time, that won't make you sick. However, if your job involves you breathing in thick smoke all day every day, then you'll definitely get sick. For your own safety, you should only be melting plastic in a well ventilated space--preferably either outside or in a room with some kind of dedicated ventilation system. Remember that dose makes the poison, so you can safely melt plastic if you're careful.

I also understand that you're concerned about the effect those fumes have on the environment in addition to your own health, but personally I wouldn't worry about that. The fumes you would create by upcycling your waste into art would slowly find their way into the atmosphere all the same if you were to throw away or recycle the plastic. Since the resulting air pollution is the same regardless of whether or not you make your art, I think you should enjoy yourself and make something beautiful, just keep yourself safe while you do it. 

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